Richmond, Va. – Today, Dr. Ralph Northam and Ed Gillespie took part in the second debate of the 2017 Virginia gubernatorial race, hosted by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.

Northam for Governor Campaign Manager Brad Komar released the following statement on Dr. Ralph Northam’s victory in the second general election debate:

“The candidate who brought home the victory in tonight’s debate is the candidate who proved he will stand up and defend the economic security, health, and equal rights of Virginians: Dr. Ralph Northam. Ed Gillespie tonight auditioned to be Donald Trump’s top lobbyist in Virginia, instituting tax cuts for the wealthy at the expensive of public education, workforce development, and healthcare.

“The optimistic vision Ralph laid out tonight is a reflection of his life of service as an Army doctor, volunteer children’s hospice medical director, pediatric neurologist, state senator, and lieutenant governor, proving he has the experience and integrity necessary to build on Virginia’s economic progress and defend our values against those who want to take us back.

“This November, voters have a choice of two economic visions: Ed’s plan to cut taxes for the wealthy at the expense of hard-working Virginians versus Ralph’s proven track record of growing the economy and giving people the skills needed to fill new-collar jobs. Ralph has stood against Washington policies that harm Virginians, and yet, Gillespie still won’t take a position on the latest proposed Trumpcare bill. Ralph is an independent voice that will stand up to Trump’s dangerous policies; not just cop out and say ‘it’s a federal issue.’ We can count on Ralph to steer Virginia in the right direction — which is why Ralph is the choice is clear for Virginians this November.”

Swamp Monster Ed Gillespie Fails to Lay Out a Positive Vision for Virginians

Richmond, Va. — Tonight, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker released the following statement on Ralph Northam’s resounding victory in the second gubernatorial debate:

“Tonight was Ralph Northam’s night. Ralph won tonight’s debate because he was the only candidate onstage with a plan to make sure every Virginian has access to a high-quality education, affordable health care, and a good-paying job.

“This was Gillespie’s last chance to revive his flagging campaign and break through with Virginians — and he blew it. The contrast between the two candidates couldn’t be starker. As an Army doctor and pediatric neurologist, Ralph’s entire life has been committed to public service. Ed Gillespie has spent decades mired in the D.C. swamp fighting for predatory student loan companies, Enron, and corporations who lay off Virginian workers. And he refuses to stand up for Virginians against Donald Trump, Corey Stewart or the extremists in his own party.

“Over the past four years, the McAuliffe Northam administration has created nearly 210,000 jobs, attracted more than $16.5 billion in capital investment, and boasted the lowest unemployment rate since 2008. Meanwhile, Ed Gillespie pocketed millions of dollars helping big corporations with mergers and other initiatives that resulted in laying off thousands of Virginians while they were Gillespie’s client.

“Tonight was a turning point in the race. For months, Gillespie has struggled to consolidate his own base and break through with independent voters. If Gillespie was hoping to turn around his failing campaign tonight, then he’ll be sorely disappointed. Unable to defend his years in Washington, D.C., unwilling to cut his ties with the big corporations and side with the people of Virginia, and unlikely to ever sever his allegiance to Donald Trump or his unfeasible tax plan, Gillespie looked like a candidate in crisis.

“For Democrats, the wind is at our backs. With Ralph at the top of the ticket, Democrats are energized, enthusiastic and ready to work their hearts out to keep Virginia blue this November.”

WASHINGTON – Tonight, at the gubernatorial debate between Dr. Ralph Northam and Ed Gillespie, Gillespie spoke out against the disastrous Graham-Cassidy bill to undo the Affordable Care Act, which was crafted by a group of all-male politicians behind closed doors and is opposed by doctors, nurses and health care experts. Minutes later, Gillespie left the stage and reversed his position.

Virginians want to know where Ed Gillespie stands. Ed Gillespie has said that he supports the repeal of Obamacare, he would not expand Medicaid in Virginia, would “ban” abortion and that he would block access to care at Planned Parenthood. The reality is that Ed Gillespie would hurt Virginia women and families.

“What is crystal clear is that Ed Gillespie and Ralph Northam couldn’t be further apart on women’s health. Ralph Northam wants to move Virginia women forward and Ed Gillespie wants to punish women,” said Jennifer Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Virginia PAC. “Gillespie would block access to care at Planned Parenthood health centers, would ‘ban’ abortion, and would restrict Medicaid in Virginia. Governor McAuliffe created a brick wall protecting women’s health care and Ed Gillespie would tear it down brick by brick. It doesn’t have to be that way: Governor Ralph Northam would not only uphold the brick wall protecting women’s health, but would also look for ways to move healthcare forward in the Commonwealth for all of us.”

FACT: Ed Gillespie is dangerous for the health of Virginians. Ed Gillespie would mean four years of dangerous attacks against the essential health care women in Virginia rely on.

Ed Gillespie has said he would vote to take away birth control, life saving cancer screenings, and HIV testing for the over 23,000 Virginians who depend on Planned Parenthood.
Aug. 2, 2017: Ed Gillespie would cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood in Virginia as governor: “I would sign a bill that does not have taxpayer money going to Planned Parenthood. But, as you know, most of their contributions come from the private sector.” [Video, 8/2/17]
Ed Gillespie wouldn’t expand Medicaid in Virginia — preventing nearly 400,000 low-income people from accessing health care.
Gillespie does not support Medicaid Expansion and has been known to favor federal block-grant programs [Richmond Times Dispatch, 9/8/17]
Gillespie holds extreme views on birth control. In 2012, he called birth control a “sin” and advocated to block access to no-copay birth control.
Ed Gillespie believes bosses’ beliefs should dictate their employees’ access to birth control [Huffington Post, 10/9/14]
Ed Gillespie said he’d like to see abortion banned.
Ed Gillespie wants to see Roe v. Wade overturned [Huffington Post, 4/3/17]
Ed Gillespie wants to ban abortion [Video, 4/1/17]

With Donald Trump in the White House, and Republicans in control of the legislature, the only thing stopping anti-reproductive health extremists from outlawing abortion and reducing women’s access to care is a pro-choice Governor in Richmond who will work with Planned Parenthood and advocates across the commonwealth. That is why Virginians are speaking out, knocking on doors and making phone calls to elect progressive champion Ralph Northam.

Jason Rylander

Both candidates’ pipeline answers reflect a stunning disconnect as to what “environmentally responsible” means in this context. Using a jobs lens to analyze this issue is fundamentally the wrong frame. Gives me little confidence that either candidate will be strong on the environment.